Ice making



Feb. 13, 1962 w;'| MOGRATH 3,020,7 4

ICE MAKING Filed July 5, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

WILLIAM L. MC GRATH BY AT TORNEY.

Feb. 13, 1962 w; L. MCGRATH ICE MAKING 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 5, 1960 IN V EN TOR.

WILLIAM L. MC GRATH mv mm mm ATTORNEY.

Feb. 13, 1962 w.'| MCGRATH ICE MAKING 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 5, 1960 FIG. 4

FIG.5

INVENTOR. WILLIAM L. MC GRATH ATTORNEY.

Feb. 13, 1962 w.'| MOGRATH ICE MAKING 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 5, 1960 FIG. 8

FIG. 7

INVENTOR.

WILLIAM L. MC GRATH ATTORNEY.

Unite States ware Filed July 5, 1%0, Ser. No. 441,719 8 Claims. (Ci. 62--68) This invention relates to ice forming, more particularly to novel apparatus, and methods permitting the provision of a relatively constant supply of uniformly shaped clear pieces of ice.

A variety of situations exist, in which it is desired to have available a relatively constant supply of ice. Thus in various commercial food establishments where iced comestibles or potables are dispensed, it is necessary to provide a relatively large supply of ice for chilling of food. In most such establishments whether restaurants, bars, or the like the ice supply should be continuous and any ice served with food should generally be of a shape to facilitate handling and provide a desired aesthetic effect, as well as providing the primary cooling function resulting from the use of ice. To this end various shapes of ice bodies have been utilized, such as flake ice, ice cubes, ice chips, ice balls, or the like. Of these various shapes, however, the so-called ice cube is found most preferable. In addition to the cube shape, the demand exists that the ice be clear, free of foreign particles, and preferably free of cracks or spalls for the sake of appearance.

In conventionally forming an ice cube of requisite size and clarity, a grid containing a plurality of cube shaped cells is generally employed. Water is fed to the cells of the grid, and the water is frozen in the cells, after which the frozen water is released from the cells to provide the desired ice cubes. The broad general principle of freezing water in a cube shaped cell is old in tthe art. However, a number of problems arise in connection with existing apparatus and procedures.

In order to attain a uniformity of cube formation in the various cells of the conventionally employed grid, it is necessary to insure a uniformity of water distribution to the cells during cube formation. As will be apparent a variety of problems arise in insuring satisfactory water distribution to the large number of cells necessary to provide the requistte quantity and quality of ice needed in any commercial machine. In addition to the problem of distributing the water to the grid, it is desirable to insure agitation of the water in the grid to produce clear ice, and it is of course important to make provision for the return of excess water to any supply sump so as to prevent undesired wetting of the apparatus components, and so as to minimize water losses.

Additional problems are encountered in connection with the effective harvesting of the formed ice, since in order to attain eflicient ice production, it is desirable that immediately upon the freezing of the water in the grid to form the ice cubes, all of the formed cubes be efficiently removed from the cells of the grid.

It is with these problems and desiderata in mind, that the present means have been evolved, means including both apparatus and method providing for the formation of a plurality of uniformly shaped clear ice pieces by the use of a grid containing cells of desired shape. The novel means provide for a uniformity of distribution of cool water to the cells of the grid so as to agitate the water in the cell during ice formation whereby a clear ice piece is formed. Additionally the formed ice is positively discharged from the cells of the grid. Any water not frozen in the cells is carefully collected and returned for recirculation to the grid.

It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to atent I Patented Feb, 13, 1962 provide novel ice forming means including both apparatus and method.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for the introduction. of water to the cells of a grid in which ice is to be formed.

An additional object of the invention is to provide means implementing the uniform distribution of water to the cells of an ice forming grid.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel water supply system for an ice forming apparatus in which water is fed to an ice forming mold or grid cell in a manner insuring requisite agitation of the water in the mold to eliminate undesired impurities and gases which might interfere with the production of clear ice.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a water supply system for ice forming equipment in which losses of refrigeration effects on the water are maintained at a minimum.

It is also an object of the invention to provide novel means for preventing water losses in directing water to an ice forming grid.

These and other objects of the invention which will become hereafter apparent, are attained by providing an ice forming apparatus having a grid containing a plurality of cells confining a volume having a configuration like that of the ice to be formed. A compression refrigeration system is employed to refrigerate the cells of said grid and this is effected by arranging at least a portion of the evaporator of said compression refrigeration system in heat exchange relationship with the cells of said grid. A platen closes off the bottom of the. cells of the grid to retain water therein.

A novel water supply system is provided directing water to the tops of cells of the grid for freezing into the requisite ice particles. This water supply system includes a storage sump connected to a water supply main. A pump is arranged to direct water from the sump to a distribution header arranged above a water deflection tray or plate on the grid. This distribution header is provided with a plurality of ejection nozzles, one for each cell of the grid, the nozzles serving to eject water from the header into the grid cells during ice formation. A water collection pan collects excess water and returns same to the sump.

An important feature of the invention resides in the fact that the novel water supply distribution header employs nozzles serving the function of ejecting water from the header into the cells of the grid, acting in combination with the water deflection tray or plate to agitate the water.

Another feature of the invention resides in the novel water deflection tray arranged in combination with the grid to implement the agitation of water supplied to the grid cells whereby impurities in the water are not formed in the ice.

An additional feature of the invention resides in the novel method of agitating the water delivered to the cells.

A further feature resides in the novel method of cooling the water constrained in the grid cells.

These novel features, and the novel structural components and their mode of functioning, will be made most manifest and particularly pointed out in clear, concise and exact terms in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 represents a perspective view with parts broken away of the novel ice making apparatus incorporating the features of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front perspective view looking upwardly at the water supply components and ice making components of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective detail view looking downwardly on the water distribution header, the grid, the evaporator platen, and the Water collection pan, shown 3 during the harvesting cycle of the apparatus of FIG- URE l;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view with parts broken away of the water distribution header;

FIGURE 5 is a top perspective view of the water collection pan;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic diagram of there frigeration system employed in the novel apparatus;

FIGURE 7 is a schematic diagram of the water supply system; and

FIGURE 8 is a schematic circiut diagram of the controls.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, like numerals in the various figures will be employed to designate like parts.

As best seen in FIGURE 1, the novel ice making apparatus is shown arranged within a rectangular housing 11 formed of sheet metal, or the like relatively rigid sheet material supported on a framework 9 of angle irons, or the like. A bunker 12 is formed at the bottom of the housing 11, and provided with a hinged door 13 permitting access to the interior of bunker 12. Leading to the bunker is a chute 14 extending from an opening in horizontal partition 15 arranged above the bunker 12. Vertical partition wall 16 extends upwardlyfrom horizontal partition 15 and separates the heat dissipating components of the refrigeration system, to be hereinafter described. from the ice forming equipment, and the water supply equipment, as seen to the left in FIGURES l and 2.

The refrigeration system employed as best seen in FIGURES 1 and 6 comprises a compressor 6 constituted by a sealed motor compressor unit such as is conventionally employed in compression refrigeration systems. The compressor 20 is coupled via discharge line 21 to condenser 22 which is connected via liquid refrigerant line 23 through expansion valve 24 to primary platen evaporator 25 in series with secondary water pro-cooling evaporator 26, from which suction line 27 extends back to compressor 20. It will be observed that portions of liquid line 23, and suction line 27 are arranged in heat exchange relation as shown at 30.

Expansion valve 24 is controlled by means of thermostatic bulb 31 arranged in heat exchange relationship with suction line 27 so that the amount of refrigerant flowing from the condenser 22 to the evaporator is regulated in response to temperature of refrigerant in the suction line. A conventional strainer-dryer 28 and a dis charge service valve 29 may be placed in liquid line 23. Suction service valve 29' may be provided in line 27. The other details of the control circuit will be hereafter more fully described.

The novel water supply circuit here employed as best seen in FIGURES l and 7 includes a water storage sump to which water is fed by water main connection 36 which feeds water tosump 35 through float-controlled valve 37, the opening of which is regulated by the position of float 38 in the sump 35. Overflow pipe 35 formed with siphon cap 49 is arranged in the bottom of the sump to insure that the water level in the sump will not exceed a desired maximum. Sump discharge line 41 leads the water from the sump through pump 42 via flexible water header supply line 43 to water distribution header 45.

Water header45 as best seen in FIGURES 3 and 4 is formed in a plate-like configuration with a plurality of distribution channels 46 arranged to direct water from header inlet 47 to a plurality of spaced ejector nozzles $8. The water header 45 is formed of a suitable relatively rigid material preferably by molding or the like technique implementing the formation of a closed hollow plate-like member in which a plurality of distribution channels may readily be formed. The shape of the channels, and the shape of the internal cross section of the nozzles 48 is such as to provide a relatively uniform distribution of water pressure throughout the header 45 so that the fiow of water from each of the nozzles is substantially the same.

Each of ejector nozzles 48 is formed with a nose portion 49 having an orifice 50 at the tip thereof. The water header 45 is slidably mounted with respect to grid by means of pins 56 arranged at the respective corners of the header 45. The pins 56 extend slidably through apertures in corner ears 53 formed on the header 45 and these pins are fixed at their lower ends in the corners of grid 55 with the keeper rods 59 limiting upward movement of header 45. Compression springs 57 are arranged about pins 56 between the header 45 and grid 55 to bias the header 45 upwardly away from the grid as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 2.

Grid 55 is fixedly mounted with respect to housing 11. An car 120 is secured at each corner of the grid. Each car has an opening 121 therein. Support rods 122 and 123, which are mounted in brackets 124 secured to the framework 9, extend through the openings 121 and support grid 55.

Grid 55 is formed with a plurality of cells 60 which confine a volume having a configuration like that of the ice bodies to be formed. As previously noted, the rectilinear configuration commonly called an ice cube is preferred, and to this end the grid 55 is formed with a plurality of cube-like cells so that any water frozen therein will be formed into these so-called ice cubes. Grid 55 as best seen in FIGURES l and 7 is formed with a water deflection plate or tray 61 arranged to extend over the top surface thereof. Overflow lip 62 is formed on one end of the deflection tray to direct any excess water downwardly over the side of grid 55 in a fashion to be hereinafter more fully described. A plurality of apertures 63 is arranged coaxially with the center line through each of the cells 60 and as viewed in FIGURES l and 7, it will he observed that the apertures 63 are of a size to permit the ejector nozzles employed to supply water to the grid cells to pass therethrough.

However, in the pro-harvesting, or ice forming position shown in FIGURE 7, only the nose portions 49 of nozzles 48 are arranged within aperture 63, so that there is a clearance between the apertures 63 and nose portion 49, whereby water may fiow through said clearance for a purpose to be made hereinafter more apparent. The water deflection tray 61 may be suitably formed of any readily formable sheet material, but is preferably formed of a strong, light weight plastic, such as styrene copolymer.

Platen 65 is pivotally mounted on pivot rod or shaft 66 extending through bearing fulcrum 67 provided on mt.- chine housing 11. Ears 63 are extended upwardly and outwardly from the plane of platen 65 and are secured on shaft 66 so that the plate 65 may lie flush against the bottom of grid 55 as viewed in the drawings, but may also pivot about an axis through rod 66 as viewed in FIGURE 3 to permit those portions of the platen in contact with the grid to move a distance at least equal to the height of an ice cube away from the grid to permit discharge of the formed ice. The platen 65 is of a plate-like configuration substantially coextensive with the bottom area of grid 55, and is preferably formed with a serpentine passageway so as to accommodate the tubing employed in fabricating evaporator 25 as seen in FIG- URE 6. The portion of evaporator 25 arranged within the serpentine passageway in platen 65 is connected to the refrigeration system by flexible refrigerant conduits 69 so as to permit movement of the platen containing primary evaporator 25 with respect to the relatively fixed refrigeration system components. The top surface of the platen 65 is suficientiy smooth to provide relatively contiguous surface engagement with the bottom of grid 55 whereby the cells 60 will be closed oif to retain water therein when the platen 65 is in its upward position as illustrated in FIGURES l and 7.

Positioned beneath grid 55 and platen 65 is a water collecton pan 70 as best seen in FIGURES 2, and 7, formed with a bottom trough having a front downwardly and rearwardly inclined bottom plate 71 and a rear forf wardly and downwardly inclined bottom plate 72 converging along a low point line 73 which forms a low point in the pan 70. Front wall 74 is upstanding from overflow lip 62 will be deflected to pan 70. Splash guards 76 also direct harvested ice bodies to the ice chute 14.

The front bottom plate'71 of pan 70 is formed with opening 78 surrounded by lip 80 which extends completely thereabout for a purpose to be made hereinafter more apparent. Discharge spout 81 extends downwardly from low point line 73 to discharge opening 82 whereby water collected in said pan 70 may be discharged to the sump 35 as viewed in FIGURES 2 and 7.

Supported on partition above bunker 12 is a gear motor 85 having a crank arm 86 coupled to connecting rod 87 which extends upwardly through aperture 78 and is connected to platen 65, whereby operation of the motor will cause the'platen to move downwardly pivoting about pivot rod 66, as viewed in FIGURE 2. The connecting rod 87 is formed as a telescoping member with a spring (not shown) arranged between the upper and lower telescoping parts of the connecting rod whereby a cushioning effect is obtained in the event that the motion of the connecting rod is obstructed.

A strap 90, as best seen in FIGURE 2 is secured be tween header 45 and platen 65 on opposite sides of each for a purpose to be made hereinafter more apparent. Strap 90 is formed with an upper keyhole pivot slot 91 and a lower lost motion slot 92. Headed pin 93 'is extended from header 45 into keyhole slot 91 and suitably secured therein by hairpin spring 94. Lost motion slot 92 engages pin 95 secured to platen 65.

The control circuit diagram illustrated in FIGURE 8 includes a pump motor 100 employed for driving pump 42, gear motor 85, and condenser fan motor 101 utilized for driving the condenser fan to direct air into heat exchange relationship with condenser 22 of the refrigeration system here employed. The circuit also includes the compressor motor 102, the overload relay 103, the running capacitor 104, the starting capacitor 165 and starting relay 196. Pressure sensitive fan cut-out switch 107 is arranged in the fan motor circuit. Gear motor switch 105 is arranged in the gear motor circuit along with manual control gear motor switch 109. Temperature and pressure sensitive defrost control switch 110 is arranged in a circuit with the relay of defrost solenoid valve 111 and fan motor 101 as best seen in FIGURE 8. Control 115 shown in FIGURE 6 contains switch 110. The control is connected to suction line 27 by line 116 so as to be responsive to the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through line 27 to move switch 110 to the position shown in dotted line in FIGURE 8 to terminate the freezing cycle and initiate defrosting. The control is connected to thermostatic bulb 117 so as to be responsive to a predetermined temperature indicative of the completion of defrosting to move switch 110 to the position shown in solid line in FIGURE 8 to initiate harvesting of the ice cubes. Harvest control switch 112 is arranged to control the flow of current to gear motor 100, and main power switch 113 is arranged to control the energization of the aforedescribed circuit components. Bunker switch 114 is arranged to deenergize all the components of the electrical control system when a predetermined quantity of ice is collected in the bunker 12. a

In use, the ice forming apparatus here provided isintended for the relatively continuous production of ice 6 bodies such as would be required in a commercial eating establishment. The ice bodies formed by the instant apparatus are as noted the so-called ice cubes. Installation of the apparatus is possible in any area permitting connection to a water supply main and an electrical power supply source.

Water is supplied from the main to sump in a quantity such as to fill the sump to a level determined by the adjustment of flow control valve 37. When this level V has been attained float 38 rises, shutting valve 37, and the supply of water to sump 35. Water pump 42 directs the water from sump 35 to header via flexible water supply line 43. The flexibility of water supply line 43 permits movement of header 45 with respect to water pump 42 for a purpose to become hereinafter more apparent.

In header 45, the water is distributed from inlet 47 as viewed in FIGURE 4 through channels 46. As noted, the dimensioning of the header channels 46 is such as to provide for a uniform pressure at each of the nozzles 48. The water in channels 46 is ejected from the header to the grid via ejector nozzles 48 where it will be observed that the cross section of the nozzle as viewed in FIGURE 4 provides for a velocity increase at the orifice in nose portion 49 as the Water leaves the header for distribution in cells 60 of grid 55.

The water flowing into cells 60 is agitated as a result of the turbulence produced by the action of ejector nozzles 48 directing water into the cells 60 confined by water plate 61. Any overflow resulting from this turbulence is directed outwardly through the space between the nozzle nose portion 49 and the apertures 63 in plate 61. The overflow through these apertures 63 drains downwardly to overflow lip 62 whence it is directed to water collection pan 70. It will be observed that the amount of water supplied to cells 60 is in excess of the amount of water frozen during any given period of time so that there will always be an overflow along plate 61. This excess water flow agitates the water in the cells, and though interfering slightly with the rate of ice formation, serves to eliminate from the formed ice any foreign matter whether solid or gaseous since the cleaner water tends to freeze first and the overflow serves to remove the foreign matter, and the agitation releases undesirable gases.

Water collection trough or pan 70 is formed in a novel 2 fashion whereby cleaning of the pan components is implemented and substantially all the water supplied to the grid, and not frozen is returned to the sump without wettiong of the apparatus components. The splash guards 76, which are removable for cleaning purposes, serve to deflect any water flowing over plate 61 downwardly to pan 70 thus preventing wetting of the other apparatus components due to splashing as a result of the turbulence in cells 60. Splash guards76 also serve to direct harvested ice bodies to the ice chute 14. The configuration of pan 70 is such that even in the harvesting position shown in FIGURE 3 low point line 73 is below the top of front wall 74 whereby water is stilldrained downwardly to the sump via spout 81 thus maintaining the apparatus components in a relatively dry condition. Appropriate filters are of course arranged in. the sump inlet and outlet so as to remove any impurities. a

The refrigeration system here provided permits simple and effective cooling of the water retained in the cells of grid by utilization of an evaporator coil 25 arranged within platen 65. When the refrigeration system is operating, the evaporating refrigerant passing through the primary evaporator 25 and secondaryevaporator 26 of the refrigeration system serves to cool any Water in the cells and in the sump respectively which are in heat exchange relationship with said evaporators.

The platen serves the functions of retaining water within the cells of the grid, and directing refrigerant from the refrigeration system into heat exchange relationship with the water retained in said cells to freeze same.

During the freezing operation, platen 65 is in the po-' sition illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 where it is held under spring pressure by connecting rod 87. During the operation of the refrigeration system, the evaporating refrigerant flowing through the platen 65 serves to freeze the water retained in cells 60. The refrigerant flowing through secondary evaporator 26 arranged in heat exchange relationship with sump 35 either in the water or in the sump wall serves to chill the water in the sump prior to its distribution to cells 66, whereby the time required to efiect freezing of the water is diminished.

After the cells 69 are filled with ice, the ice is freed from. the cells by directing hot refrigerant from compressor 29 to coils 25 which results in a breaking of any bond between the ice and the walls of cells 60. There after harvesting of the ice is accomplished by energizing motor 35 lowering platen 65 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 in which the free edge of platen 65' assumes a position over chute l4 and the platen edge closest to the shaft 66 has moved a distance at least equal to the height of a cube whereby sufficient clearance exists to permit the ice cubes released from the cells of the grid to fall onto the platen for direction to bunker 12. Simultaneously with the lowering of platen 65 to its lowermost position for a short part of its movement before reaching its bottom point, pin 95 en ages the bottom of slot 92, pulling strap S ll downwardly against the action of springs 57, forcing the nose portions 49 of ejector nozzles 48 against the ice in cells 69, whereby any ice cubes remaining in the grid are positively ejected from the cells onto platen 55. It will be observed that the platen limits the distance through which the ice cubes must fall and serves to guide same in a relatively non-jarring fashion into bunker 12 whereby spalling of the cubes is main tained at a minimum.

After harvesting, the platen is again raised to the position illustrated in FIGURES l and 2, and the cycle of operation is re-initiated. During the formation of the next batch of cubes, those previously formed harvested cubes are available for use in bunker 12 which is appropriately insulated.

The aforedescribed cycle of operation may be automatically attained by utilizing a control circuit such as shown schematically in FIGURE 8. When apparatus operation is initiated, the control arm of main power switch 113 is positioned in the right hand on position indicated in the drawng. The switch arms of the other switches are then in the position indicated by solid line in the drawing, under which circumstances the compressor motor 102 and pump motor 100 are actuated; fan motor 161 is inoperative; gear motor 85 is inoperalive, and solenoid valve 111 is closed. As the compressor operates the pressure within the refrigeration sys tem will build up and at a predetermined pressure the arm of switch 107 will be closed, energizing the circuit to the fan motor 101. After the ice has been formed in the cells of the grid, the refrigerant pressure in the evaporator drops. This pressure drop is sensed by control 115 and the arm of temperature and pressure sensitive defrost control switch 110 moves to the dotted line position closing the circuit to the relay of solenoid valve 111 opening the hot gas line from condenser 22 to primary evaporator 25 as viewed in FIGURE 6, and shutting off fan motor 101 to stop the condenser fan. Gear motor 85 is simul taneously actuated to move a cam causing the arm of gear motor switch 108 to move to the dotted line position, whereby the gear motor 85 is stopped with platen 65 still contacting the grid and maintaining the hot refrigerant gas flowing through the primary evaporator in heat exchange relationship with the grid cells to effect defrosting. When thermostatic bulb 117 senses a temperature indicative of the completion of defrosting, control 115 is actuated and the arm of the switch 116 moves back to the solid line position, Motor 55 is energized to lower the platen, eject the ice cubes, and raise the platen to the freezing position as aforedescribed. As the platen lowers, switch 112 moves to the position shown in dotted lines stopping pump motor 100. As the platen returns to a position sealing the cells of the grid, switch 112 is moved to the position shown in solid line, restarting pump motor ltltl. Immediately after switch 112 is tripped to the position shown in solid line, a cam on gear motor moves the arm of switch 193 to the solid line position stopping the gear motor 85. All the switches are now in freezing position and the freezing cycle is reinitiated. When a predetermined quantity of ice is collected in the bunker, switch 114 is opened to deenergize the control circuit.

Though a complete ice forming machine has been disclosed in which the instant inventive concept has been embodied, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in a variety of other ice forming apparatus. The invention here presented resides in the novel liquid supply system permitting uniform distribution of liquid to be frozen to the cells of an ice forming grid from above with discharge of the excess water also from above providing counterllow in the cells whereby desired agitation will result. The novel water distributionheader with a nozzle arranged for uniform water distribution at each cell, and the water deflection tray arranged to deflect the overflow from the cells results in the production of uniform ice bodies of desire purity and clarity in each of the cells of the grid. The deflection tray in addition to aiding and providing the requisite turbulence in the cells of the grid also serves to limit the growth of the top surface of the ice bodies formed in the cells. The overflow water is collected in a collection pan positioned beneath the grid and returned to the water supply sump for recirculation with the result that the work done in cooling this excess water is not completely lost.

The above disclosure has been given by way of illustration and elucidation, and not by way of limitation, and it is desired to protect all embodiments of the herein disclosed inventive concept within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an ice making machine, the combination of a grid containing a plurality of refrigerated cells within which a liquid to be frozen may be confined and frozen to form ice of a desired configuration, means for closing the bottoms of the refrigerated cells to confine the liquid to be frozen, and means for supplying liquid to the cells of the grid, said supplying means comprising distribution means directing liquid to be frozen into the tops of the cells of the grid; and deflecting means arranged over the grid to restrict the opening of the cells to cause agitation of the liquid supplied thereto, whereby the liquid to be frozen will be agitated in the cells to release impurities therefrom providing relatively pure ice.

2. An ice making machine as in claim 1 in which ejection means are employed in combination with said distribution means to eject liquid from said distribution means to the cells of the grid.

3. In an ice making machine, the combination of a grid containing a plurality of refrigerated cells within which a liquid to be frozen may be confined and frozen to form ice. of a desired configuration, means for closing the bottoms of the refrigerated cells to confine the liquid to be frozen, and means for supplying liquid to the cells of the grid, said supplying means comprising distribution means directing liquid to be frozen to a plurality of distribution points having equal pressures; and ejection means ejecting liquid from said distribution points into the tops of the cells of the grid, the top of each cell being restricted to promote agitation of the liquid, whereby the liquid will be uniformly distributed to all the cells of the grid and the impurities therein will be elcased.

4. In an ice making machine, the combination of a grid containing a plurality of refrigerated cells within which a liquid to be frozen may be confined and frozen to form ice of a desired configuration, means for closing the bottoms of the refrigerated cells to confine the liquid to be frozen, and means for supplying liquid to the cells of the grid, said supplying means comprising distribution means directing liquid to be frozen to a plurality of distribution points having equal pressures; ejection means ejecting liquid from said distribution points into the tops of the cells of the grid; and deflecting means arranged over the grid to restrict the opening of the cells to cause agitation of the liquid supplied thereto, whereby the liquid to be frozen will be uniformly distributed to all the cells of the grid and agitated in the cells to release any impurities from the liquid providing relatively pure ice.

5. In an ice making machine, the combination of a grid containing a plurality of refrigerated cells within which a liquid to be frozen may be confined and frozen to form ice of a desired configuration, means for closing the bottoms of the refrigerated cells to confine the liquid to be frozen, and means for supplying liquid to the cells of the grid, said supplying means comprising storage means receiving and storing the liquid to be frozen from a liquid supply source; pumping means directing liquid from said storage means; distribution means receiving the liquid directed by said pumping means and distributing the liquid to the cells of the grid; ejection means ejecting liquid from said distribution means into the tops of the cells of the grid; deflecting means arranged over the grid to restrict the opening of the cells to cause agitation of the liquid supplied thereto; and collecting means to collect any excess liquid supplied to the cells of the grid and not frozen therein.

6. A method of supplying liquid to be frozen to the cells of a refrigerated grid within which the liquid is confined and frozen to form ice of a desired configuration, said method comprising the steps of: distributing the liquid to be frozen into the tops of the cells of the grid in a quantity in excess of the volumetric capacity of the grid cells while closing the bottoms of the grid cells; restricting the tops of the cells of the grid to promote agitation of the liquid; and deflecting the excess liquid within and plurality of'distribution points of equal pressure, one distribution point for each cell of the grid; and ejecting the liquid from the distribution points into the grid cells from the top thereof while restricting the top of each cell,

whereby the liquid will be uniformly distributed to all the cells of the grid and will be agitated in the cells to release impurities therefrom.

8. A method of supplying liquid to be frozen to the cells of a grid in a grid and platen ice making apparatus, the liquid being confined within the cells of the grid and frozen to form ice of a desired configuration by the movable refrigerated platen, said method comprising the steps of: closing the bottom of each cell; distributing the liquid'to be frozen to a plurality of distribution points of equal pressure, one distribution point for each cell of the grid; ejecting the liquid from the distribution points into the grid cells from the top thereof, in a quantity in excess of the volumetric capacity of the cells; restricting the top of each of the cells; and deflecting the excess liquid within and from the tops of the cells to agitate the liquid, Whereby the liquid to be frozen will be uniformly distributed to all the cells of the grid and agitated in the cells to release any impurities from the liquid providing relatively pure ice.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE, OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,020,124 February 13, 1962 William L. McGrath- It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

' Column l line 36, for "tthe" read the line 46, for "'requistte"- ,read requisite column 3, line 7, for there frigeration" read the refrigeration lines 16 and 17, after,1"apparatus insert 10 same column 3, line 31, for "compressor 6" read compressor 20 column 6, lines 49 and 50, for "wettiong" read wetting Signed and sealed this 5th day of June 1962.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w. SWIDER DA D L. L D Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

